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The Russian president and German chancellor have held their first direct conversation in almost two years
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has described a recent phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as detailed and very frank, with both leaders outlining their positions. He spoke to journalist Pavel Zarubin in an interview published on Sunday.
The call took place on Friday, marking the first time the two leaders communicated directly in nearly two years. The Kremlin stated that the last time Putin and Scholz spoke over the phone was on December 2, 2022. It lasted about an hour and included the topic of the Ukraine conflict.
When asked about the language used, Peskov confirmed that Putin spoke in Russian through a translator, despite the Russian leader’s proficiency in German.
“Some things are best conveyed in one’s native tongue,” he noted.
Zarubin also inquired about the general tone of the call. Peskov characterized it as “quite a business conversation,” emphasizing that it was both a detailed and candid exchange of views.
The reporter also asked about the timing of the call following such a lengthy silence, suggesting it might have been influenced by the recent US presidential election or the political situation in Germany. The conversation occurred shortly after the US vote and just ahead of the G20 summit in Brazil, which Scholz is scheduled to attend on Sunday. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is expected to represent Russia at the meeting.
Peskov remarked that various factors appear to have come together to make renewed dialogue possible, which he considered an essential step forward. He called it a positive development, since President Putin has consistently expressed openness to discussion.
According to Berlin’s account of the call, Chancellor Scholz pressed for the withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukraine and reaffirmed Germany’s support for Kiev. He is currently facing a no-confidence vote and potential early elections following the collapse of his governing coalition over budget disagreements. In recent years, Berlin has shifted billions of euros from domestic priorities to Ukraine.
The Kremlin’s readout said that Putin explained the root causes of the conflict to Scholz and said that Moscow remains open to resuming the talks that Kiev broke off.
Putin stated that Russia’s terms are “well known,” as outlined back in June. He demands that Ukraine adopt a neutral status, remain nuclear-free, and undergo demilitarization and denazification. Additionally, the Russian leader insists on protecting the rights of Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine and recognizing Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions as part of Russia, along with the removal of all Western sanctions.
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